On Friday, LacyJane Folger graduated from Wheelock College in Boston, Mass. with a double master's degree in Human Development and Child Life. On Sunday, she attended her going away party and fundraiser at the Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket, as she will soon be leaving for Las Vegas, Nev. to compete in the Miss USA Pageant there.

"I am especially pleased to be hosting this affair, not only to be with my friends and family, but it also gives me an opportunity to raise money for a good cause — fighting breast cancer," Folger told the group at the Ballroom.

On June 3, the New Hampshire native leaves for the 3-week trip to Las Vegas to join 51 other contestants, all vying for the coveted title of Miss USA; the winner then has the opportunity to compete for the Miss Universe title.

Never having been to the famous Nevada city, Miss New Hampshire said she's looking forward to the trip as well as meeting Pageant Owner Donald Trump.

There will be a number of familiar faces for her among the contestants, as she had an opportunity to meet 40 of them at a "boot camp" recently in Lynchburg, Va. where they learned a lot more about the upcoming competition.

"I met a lot of very nice girls," she said, "including Miss Massachusetts, who I will be rooming with."

Although pageants have changed a lot over the years, they still contain the staples: swimsuit, evening gown and interview portions. On a diet including lots of protein and 8 meals a day as prescribed by her trainer Miss Fit Katie Boyd, Folger feels confident that she is ready for the physical portion.

When asked how she prepares for the interview section, she said, "I'm me and that is what they'll see. Be who I am, and tell the truth." The youngest after three brothers, she prides herself in being a rugged outdoors girl who loves White Mountains, hiking and off-road mudding.

When those who know Folger describe her, the same words come up — tough, hardworking and focused.

"I don't know how she does it," said longtime friend Tara Funk of Farmington. "She was a Master's Degree candidate, held a full-time job, worked out every day. She is awesome and awe inspiring."

One of her goals is to manage her own child life program in a New Hampshire Hospital. Recently she was appointed to head such a program at Eliot Hospital In Manchester.

"One of the things I love most about being Miss New Hampshire has nothing to do with the perception of beauty queen," Folger said. "It is that the crown on my head gives me a louder voice about important things like the fight against breast cancer."

Her mother Tammy recalled many of the awards her daughter won over the years and proudly stated that Folger never wore more than one crown a year.

"They were all important to her; she never tried to collect tiaras," she said. "I told her, if she doesn't do well in Vegas, it's because she's too smart".

The pageant will air live on NBC June 19th at 9 p.m.

As Folger chatted with her many friends and supporters, the band was playing in the background. Two young girls were dancing to the music: 5-year-old Sheighlyn, Little Miss New England Silver, and 8-year-old Makayla, Little Miss Northern New England. Their last name? Folger.